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Amp Faceplates

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7/22/2000 4:27 PM

Amp Faceplates

Hi All,

On my current amp project I tussled with the idea of what to do for making the front of the amp look professional. I went to a business that makes trophys and told them what I wanted to do. Here is the solution they came up with:

I gave them the chassis and they cut 1/8" strips of black plastic that fit both the front and rear of the amp. They then drilled all the holes for me in the right places. I told them the words that I wanted printed on the front and rear and they then aligned the holes to the appropriate words and laser printed them on the plastic. I now have a truly professional looking chassis and the total cost was $32.00.

I am very happy with the results and just thought I would pass the idea along.

Tim C.

7/22/2000 5:44 PM
Winnie Thomas	Tim, That sounds great! How secure is the printing on the front? Is is likely to easily rub off? Winnie

7/22/2000 9:10 PM
Tim C.	Winnie, Actually the laser burns through the plastic and the letters won't rub off at all. The background is black with the lettering being an off white. I will post a picture when I complete the amp. Take Care, Tim C.

7/23/2000 1:56 AM
Winnie Thomas	Tim, Thanks, I'm really interested in the idea. Winnie

7/23/2000 4:32 AM

Yeah, It's called a laser engraver and they're too cool! I'm working with a trophy shop right now on a face and back plate for my amp. Me and a friend are designing the faceplate in CorelDraw and all I have to do is give the file to the shop owner and the engraver does the rest! This shop can even engrave on steel. If you could measure out the pot and control holes very accurately that laser machine should be able to "vector" cut the holes for you too.

Troy

7/23/2000 10:51 AM

A faceplate i thought would be cool is,use like pickguard matierial.. you can get it in 2" strips.. and all colors.. tortise shell,swirl colors.. about anything ya want.. then have the lettering put on it. With say like a mother of pearl swirl with black chicken head knobs,,or tortouse shell with cream or black or chrome dome knobs.. make it look more like a guitar type thing. colors and dezigns would be almost endless, they also have mirror, and metal looking in any colors... Use a mint green like the old fender pickguard.. have the amp covered in the dark green tolex..and pick out some cool knobs..
Richie{~}==:::

7/23/2000 12:54 PM

Troy,

Originally I was going to have them engrave on this really cool black metal that when engraved the letters are gold in color. Luckily the shop owner stopped me and said to use the plastic because the metals they use scratch very easily. He took a scrap piece and showed me how it scratches.

The plastic we used looks like the plastic used on Matchless amp faceplates. It has a dull shine to it and as I said earlier I am very pleased with the way it turned out.

To Ritchie,

Your idea is interesting. Would you need special longer threaded pots to accomodate the thickness of the pickguard material? I know the pickguard on my guitar is about twice as thick as the plastic I used on my faceplate. Maybe the holes could be drilled larger to allow for the nuts to mount the pots, jacks, etc.

Take Care,
Tim C.

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